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Community Solar 101: How It Works and Who Can Join
A plain-English guide to subscribing to a local solar farm, with no panels, no roof work, and the same utility you already use.
Read the guide · 5 minBlog
Plain answers about community solar.
Guides for homeowners, renters, and businesses, plus what’s changing in the states we serve.
Start here: homeowner guides
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Income-Qualified? How Your Household Can Save More, and Get Help With Lifeline
Many state laws set aside space in community solar projects for income-qualified households, and some require bigger discounts. Here's how it works, how to qualify, and how we can help you apply for Lifeline at the same time.
Read the guide · 6 min
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Your Electric Bill, Explained: Where Community Solar Credits Show Up
What your solar credit is, one bill vs. two, and why the amount changes with the seasons.
Read the guide · 5 min
All posts
40 posts
Savings tips
October Energy Check-Up: 10 Quick Ways to Save at Home
Get ready for cooler weather with 10 quick, practical energy tips—from thermostat settings to LEDs, sealing drafts, rate plans, and community solar.
· 4 min readSavings tips
Get Ready for Winter Bills: A Fall Energy Checklist
Winter bills can climb fast. Use this fall checklist for air sealing, thermostat and water heater settings, assistance dates, and solar credit timing.
· 4 min readEducation
After National Clean Energy Week: What Local Solar Means for Your Community
After National Clean Energy Week, learn how local shared solar works, how bill credits appear, and where income-qualified options may fit your household.
· 4 min readIncome-qualified & Lifeline
Lifeline Awareness Week: 5 Things Every Eligible Household Should Know
It's the last day of Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week. Learn who qualifies, the benefit, one-per-household, renewal, and how to apply.
· 4 min readCompany
Labor Day: Meet the People Who Bring Solar Savings to Your Door
Meet CSR’s trained, ID-carrying reps this Labor Day. We follow state rules, keep consent records, and do outreach in neighborhoods, events, and online.
· 4 min readState guides
Delaware’s New Community Solar Law (SB 321): What Delmarva Customers Should Know
Delaware updated its community solar law with SB 321; see what changes on Sept. 3 for Delmarva Power customers and how rule dates affect subscribers.
· 4 min readFor businesses
For Business Owners: Small, Medium, and Large General Service Accounts, Explained
Learn what SGS, MGS, and LGS mean, how to spot your rate class on your electric bill, and how usage and demand shape a community solar subscription.
· 5 min readEducation
Clean Energy Claims: What’s True About Community Solar (and What’s Hype)
Learn what RECs are, how the FTC Green Guides apply, and the clear, accurate phrases community solar subscribers can use without the hype.
· 4 min readState guides
Rhode Island Community Solar: What Rhode Island Energy Customers Should Know
A clear guide for Rhode Island Energy customers on how community solar works, how credits show on your bill, and what to review before you subscribe.
· 5 min readIncome-qualified & Lifeline
Household Benefits and Energy Savings: How SNAP, Medicaid, and Other Programs Can Help You Qualify
A recent benefit letter from SNAP, Medicaid, or similar programs can show you qualify for community solar or Lifeline—no uploads on our site.
· 5 min readSavings tips
Back-to-School Budgets: Trimming Household Utility Costs
Practical back-to-school tips to cut energy use, match chores to your rate, and see if income-qualified community solar fits your plan.
· 4 min readState guides
New York Community Solar: A Guide for Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, RG&E, Central Hudson, and O&R Customers
Understand New York community solar (CDG) for Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, RG&E, Central Hudson, and O&R customers, including billing and credits.
· 4 min readEducation
Apartment and Condo Living: Community Solar FAQs
Apartment and condo residents can support local solar with no equipment at home. Learn about eligibility, billing, included-utilities, and moving.
· 4 min readEducation
How Local Solar Supports the Grid on Hot Summer Days
On hot days, AC use rises. Local solar peaks at midday and in summer, adding energy near where people use it. See how credits follow the sun.
· 4 min readSavings tips
Beat the Heat: Staying Cool on a Budget
Simple cooling tips, why bills change in heat, how solar credits peak in summer, and where to ask your state about cooling assistance.
· 5 min readState guides
Maine Community Solar in 2026: Net Energy Billing for CMP and Versant Customers
Learn how Maine community solar works in 2026: NEB credits on CMP and Versant bills, LD 1777 changes, two-bill basics, and kWh credit rules.
· 4 min readFor businesses
Small Business Guide: How Commercial Community Solar Subscriptions Work
Understand commercial community solar: who can subscribe, bill credits, rate classes, billing types, and the documents to gather to enroll.
· 4 min readState guides
Illinois Community Solar: Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All, Explained
Understand Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All, how billing and credits work, and who can join community solar with ComEd or Ameren.
· 4 min readNews
Summer 2026 Electric Bills: Why Costs Are Rising in Maryland, Delaware, and Northern Illinois
PJM’s 2026/27 capacity price and state updates are lifting summer supply rates in MD, DE, and northern IL. Learn how this shows up on bills and credits.
· 4 min readIncome-qualified & Lifeline
Memorial Day: Lifeline Support for Veterans and Survivors
This Memorial Day, we honor the fallen and share how Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit can qualify your household for Lifeline phone or internet help.
· 4 min readEducation
Why Summer Bills Climb, and How Solar Production Helps
Summer heat drives AC use and higher bills. Solar production and credits grow too, covering part of costs. Learn simple ways to stay cool and save energy.
· 4 min readSavings tips
Where to Find Your Utility Account Number (and Why Enrollment Needs It)
Find your utility account number on your bill or online. We use it to match credits to your exact account. Keep it private and names matched.
· 4 min readEducation
Is Community Solar Legit? How to Recognize a Trustworthy Enrollment Rep
Community solar is set by state law. Learn to verify a rep, spot red flags, read your agreement, and confirm CSR before you enroll.
· 4 min readState guides
Minnesota Community Solar Gardens: A Guide for Xcel Energy Customers
Xcel Energy customers in Minnesota can join community solar gardens. Learn who can enroll, income-qualified options, billing, and how credits work.
· 4 min readEducation
Earth Day 2026: What Your Community Solar Subscription Supports
Earth Day is April 22, 2026. See how a community solar subscription supports local solar energy, how credits work, and why REC claims matter.
· 4 min readIncome-qualified & Lifeline
Seniors and Fixed Incomes: Lowering Energy Costs Without New Equipment
Seniors and fixed‑income households can cut costs without new equipment using community solar and Lifeline, plus simple steps to avoid enrollment scams.
· 4 min readIncome-qualified & Lifeline
Lifeline 101: Phone and Internet Service for Less
Learn what Lifeline is, who qualifies, how much the monthly discount is, how to apply, and how CSR can help alongside community solar in one call.
· 4 min readIncome-qualified & Lifeline
What “Income-Qualified” Means: Area Median Income and the Poverty Level, Explained
Plain-language guide to AMI, 80% AMI, the poverty level, and 200% FPL—why limits change by county and household size, and how CSR checks proof.
· 5 min readEducation
How Long Until I See Credits? The Enrollment Timeline, Step by Step
Credits usually appear one to two billing cycles after activation. See each enrollment step, why timing varies, and how credits show up.
· 4 min readState guides
Maryland Community Solar: A Guide for BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, and Potomac Edison Customers
Learn how Maryland community solar works for BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, and Potomac Edison customers, including billing, LMI rules, and eligibility.
· 4 min readEducation
Who’s Who in Community Solar: Developers, Subscriber Organizations, and Enrollment Partners
Learn the roles in community solar: state, regulator, utility, developer, subscriber org, and enrollment partners like CSR, so your bills make sense.
· 4 min readSavings tips
Spring Energy Checklist: Easy Wins for Your Home
Get ready for warmer months with a simple spring energy checklist: thermostat tweaks, air sealing, fans, LEDs, water heater, and rate plan tips.
· 4 min readEducation
8 Community Solar Myths, Busted
Think community solar means panels on your roof or switching utilities? We bust eight myths and explain credits, eligibility, and how to verify reps.
· 4 min readEducation
Community Solar vs. Rooftop Solar: Which Fits Your Home?
We compare community solar and rooftop solar on ownership, roof needs, maintenance, and fit so you can choose the option that works for your home.
· 4 min readEducation
Renters Can Save With Solar, Too
Renters can join community solar with no roof work. Learn what you need, how credits work, and what to do if you plan to move.
· 4 min readEducation
How a Solar Farm’s Power Reaches the Grid (and Your Bill)
Learn how a community solar farm feeds power to the grid, your utility keeps delivering electricity, and solar credits appear on your bill.
· 5 min readIncome-qualified & Lifeline
Winter Energy Assistance: How LIHEAP Works and Where to Apply
Learn what LIHEAP covers, when funds were first released for this season, and how to apply through your state or local provider.
· 4 min readEducation
Why Winter Electric Bills Spike, and What Solar Credits Can and Can’t Do
Winter bills rise as heating needs grow and daylight shrinks. Learn why solar credits drop in winter and how they cover only part of your bill.
· 4 min readNews
Illinois’ New Energy Law (CRGA): What It Means for Community Solar
Illinois’ CRGA, signed Jan 8, 2026, takes effect June 1. It raises the community solar project cap to 10 MW and strengthens marketing oversight.
· 4 min readSavings tips
5 Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill in 2026
Five simple steps for 2026: choose the right rate plan, seal drafts, set thermostat wisely, switch to LEDs, and consider community solar.
· 5 min read
Latest post: October Energy Check-Up: 10 Quick Ways to Save at Home, October 5, 2026.